DESIGN WORK CONTINUES ON RIVERFRONT PROJECT – Message From The Mayor

The Legacy Joint Funding Committee recently approved a request of $10 million in Legacy funding to assist with the construction investment for the first phase of riverfront development.

The nine-member committee is responsible for reviewing requests for Legacy funding. The committee is comprised of three members of my administration, three members of City Council, and three citizen members.

The funding request now is with City Council for their consideration.

The projected construction investment is $20 million. Potential funding sources to complement the new Legacy request include the Regional Cities Initiative and private donors.

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The first phase of riverfront development will be focused on the public spaces in a park setting and overseen by the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. Anticipated future private riverfront development would occur in areas surrounding the public spaces.

Development would occur on the south and north sides of the St. Marys River between Harrison Street and the historic Wells Street Bridge. Highlights of the plans include a promenade, park pavilion, event lawn, entry plaza with sculpture/signage, urban bioswale, educational water feature, urban streetscape, central plaza, urban riverfront terraces, elevated boardwalk, dock, interactive sculpture, and children’s play area.

Progress continues to be made on the design work for the riverfront project. The team leading the design work is Riverworks Design Group, comprised of Design Collaborative, Forum Studio, Hoch Associates, Engineering Resources, American Structurepoint and One Lucky Guitar.

For the construction phase to begin, the Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners is in the process of acquiring three properties along Superior and Harrison streets. It’s anticipated construction would start in 2017 with completion in 2018.

The Legacy request demonstrates our commitment to making Fort Wayne’s riverfront a world-class development and positions us to be considered for financial contributions from other organizations. Riverfront development is critical to the current and future success of our City and region. We must continue to emphasize quality of place amenities to attract and retain talent and businesses and make Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana a point of destination to invest in.